Toll-free numbers have become a seamless and integral part of business operations for millions of companies. It is hard to imagine the telecommunications industry without them. 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers have long become synonymous with American corporations and business in general.

It seems as if the toll-free services have been around since the early days of the telephone. It was not until the late 1970's, however, that the first toll-free numbers (800 numbers) came into existence.

We can credit the invention of the 800 Toll-Free Number System to one man - Roy P. Weber (1945-2005) from Bridgewater, NJ. The seemingly simple concept of allowing customers to make long-distance calls without being charged helped create new industries such as 900 number calling, large call centers, infomercials, etc.

As with all aspects of telecommunications, there are always methods and strategies for optimization that will get the most out of the services you currently have in place. Optimizing toll-free services will not only save you money, but it will help streamline your operations and make your telecom department more efficient in the long run.

The following are a few optimization tips that you can begin to use immediately.

Tip #1) Renegotiate Current Services With Carriers

Telecom contracts come due quicker than we all like, but this is the perfect time to renegotiate the toll-free services you currently have in place. Since both local and long distance carriers can provide these services, your collection of toll-free numbers can be a terrific leveraging tool to renegotiate other contract terms.

Depending on the type of business you run, toll-free services could make up a huge part of the overall revenue by your LEC or IXC. Rather than lose the business, carriers will be more than willing to negotiate terms and details.

If your business is growing, ask for new toll-free numbers as a "bonus" to an existing contract. You may also be successful in asking for your current carrier to waive service fees wherever possible. Always use these services as a leveraging tool wherever possible to help reduce costs of other telecom services your carrier provides.

Tip #2) Consolidate Numbers Wherever Possible

As a company grows, so does its arsenal of toll-free numbers. Over time, many of these numbers may go unused for long periods of time - even though they are still being paid for each month. Periodically take inventory of all of the toll-free numbers you have in service, then see where consolidation can be achieved.

For example, most businesses use these numbers to reach a specific location or department for the convenience of the customer. The customer calls a discrete toll-free number to speak with that department - tech support, customer service, etc. Rather than have a customer get caught in a myriad of voice mail options to reach a destination, a separate toll-free number is used for each location.

One aspect of consolidation can be achieved by simply discarding 800, 877, 888, or 866 numbers that are no longer in use. Another is embracing the concept of having just "one number", then using routing features within the toll-free number service (or your PBX) to route the calls to the departments they are addressed to. The "one number" concept makes it much easier to manage and control costs.

Tip #3) Consolidate Service Contracts

As businesses grow and expand to many locations and departments, the toll-free services portion of its telecom department often becomes fragmented - multiple numbers, multiple vendors, etc. When this scenario becomes evident, it is best to consolidate these services under a single, or "master" contract. By doing so, you will not only be in a position for more favorable rates and terms, but it will also result in more efficient trunk usage as well.

Tip #4) Cut Costs By Utilizing Caller ID Services

Incoming toll-free services are billed by the time duration of the call. Cut the time of the call and you will automatically reduce the cost of the call.

Caller ID services have the ability to be interfaced with computer systems and database records. Incoming calls can now provide an operator with caller history immediately, making it easier to recognize the needs of the caller before the call begins. This scenario puts the operator in a much better "informed" position to either help the customer quicker, or sell more products faster based on the information that is presented to them at the onset of the call.

Tip #5) Allow Employees Toll-Free Access to Check Voicemail

Toll-free numbers can be a terrific way to help cut costs for calls to the home office. Checking voicemail via long-distance calling, wireless roaming, or local toll rates can be more expensive than utilizing the company's toll-free number to check voicemail.

Provide your traveling employees with access to check voicemail or communicate with the home office. This will not only save money, but it will be easier to track incoming calls to the corporate office via a toll-free line than expensing these calls from wireless bills, or home office bills.

Toll-free numbers will be part of the business environment for many years to come. Continual optimization of these services is worth the extra effort to help rein in costs. Optimize today for greater telecom savings tomorrow.

These days, prepaid phone cards are helpful and affordable communication tools, and everyone basically knows that these types of call cards are helpful in making quicker and clear calls, either for international or domestic ones. It aids us in communicating with family and friends especially if we are far from them.

These types of devices can be used from a landline, mobile phone and pay phone to any regular phone, which allows you to call so you anytime and anywhere you wish. For first-time buyers, you need not be afraid, or do not have to purchase any without even asking for the services and rate of the prepaid calling card.

Acquiring Pertinent Call Card Info Helps Consumers Locate The Best Ones

First-time call card buyers are constantly reminded to get valuable information on a particular call card. It's highly recommended that consumers first search for a reliable and dependable prepaid phone card company, so that you will be able to secure high quality products and services. You need not just base your criteria on which one can give you the lowest or cheapest price, as you also ave to know if they can offer good-quality service and products, or the particular service provider has been in the market for a long period of time.

Another aspect to consider, is whether you can easily contact them for your call card questions, problems or concerns. Consumers need to consider these factors to be able to reach a decision on which prepaid call card to choose. One can also use the Internet to search for the company that can provide the best products and services for them.

Learn About The Card's User Instructions Properly

A call card's dialing instructions and other fine print can easily be spotted since it is written on the package itself, and all you have need to do is to simply follow instructions, and you'll be on your way to using it properly. Generally, in making a call, you need to enter the card's PIN, and this number would be given to you by the prepaid card provider.

However, there are also some prepaid call cards that don't have PIN's on them, so if you find entering a PIN every time you make a call, then you need to do some research on cards that don't have PIN numbers. It's a fact that it helps for consumers to fully know the card's details, services, features, as each differs from the other. In order for you to find the one that has the features you prefer or find useful, do some comparisons and ask for pertinent information before purchasing one. You need to compare each prepaid phone card in order to come up with the most suitable one for you.

After you made comparisons, and checked on each phone card's services, then you'll find it easy to spot the best device for your calling requirements. As mentioned earlier, you need to to get all the pertinent and useful info about a card, so that you'll make full use of it, and would be worth your time and money.

Prepaid phone cards are truly affordable and are easily accessible.

These types of communication cards allow the user to buy one that has a specific monetary value in calling time, and the cost of each call will be deducted from the card's account balance. These calling cards are sold at most retail shops, convenience stores, groceries, airport or train stations many retail locations as well as on the Internet, whee you'll have a lot of choices, and are generally affordable ones.

How To Ensure You're Getting The Best Deals With These Cards

While you may have seen these call cards at your local convenience store or gas station, you'd probably be thinking how they work, and if they truly work for you. To make sure you're getting the most out of your card, you need to first know that there are a lot of phone cards from different providers, and these offer a wide range of fees and restrictions. By comparing phone cards before you purchase them, you can make sure that you're on the way of finding one that works well for you.

Don't Get Fooled By Some Unscrupulous Call Cards

Consumers these days should be aware of the proliferation of poor-quality call cards on the market, so remember that you shouldn't get cheated by the phone card you buy. With call card firms, as with any product or service, there are good deals and bad deals, and there are those who are outright scammers.

By effectively learning on what precautions you should take when purchasing a prepaid phone card, you'll ensure that you will save money and all the trouble associated with it. Learn how to properly choose a good prepaid card, and what to do if you get the wrong ones.

Good Way To Save On Overseas Calls

Depending on whether you use these communication devices on a a phone booth during an emergency or you simply need to keep in touch with your loved ones on the road, these communication tools are truly handy devices, and could be very useful and may save you in a tight spot.

Prepaid phone cards are seen as a convenient and wonderful method of saving on international calls. By purchasing the card's minutes in bulk, these devices can offer rates at a fraction of the price to that of the regular carriers, without having any complicated or technical calling plans, thus sparing you all the hassle and added inconvenience.

New Technologies Have Made These Cards More Affordable

In just a few years ago, many telecommunication experts predicted that that prepaid phone cards were doomed by the advent of technologies such as VoIP, VoATM, and more. However, that has not happened yet, and the main factor is that a lot of countries at present still do not have the infrastructure to offer pure VoIP or other services to their customers.

Because the majority of people still live in developing or undeveloped countries, this would be a barometer of the continuing demand and usefulness of prepaid phone cards, and would still be in existence for the foreseeable future. In addition, many international prepaid long distance card providers have used VoIP to their advantage. Service providers like Pingo in the US have successfully integrated VoIP with their services to provide customers with a much better quality of service, for quite lower rates.